A code evaluation report is a document from a recognized third party that says a product complies with specific building codes and safety standards, under specific conditions of use. For a roof anchor, it means your building official can approve the device without new testing or research. Hardy’s tie-backs are covered by IAPMO UES Evaluation Report ER-461, which carries a California Supplement for Cal/OSHA Title 8 and a City of Los Angeles Supplement.
Darrell Allen of Allen Construction put it this way: “We would never install any framing hardware that didn’t have a code approval. Why are tie backs any different?”
What is a code evaluation report?
A code evaluation report (CER) is issued by a recognized third-party organization, such as ICC-ES, IAPMO UES, UL or CSA Group. It evaluates a product’s compliance with the relevant building codes and safety standards. A typical report includes:
- A summary of the testing methods used
- A description of the product specifications
- Performance results
- Compliance with building or safety codes, such as IBC, OSHA, Cal/OSHA and ANSI
- Conditions of use and installation guidelines
For fall protection, that means the anchor point has been tested and meets the safety and building code requirements that apply to it.
Why does a code evaluation report matter for fall protection devices?
Five reasons, starting with the one that hits your schedule.
- Your inspector approves it faster. Building inspectors and safety officers rely on CERs to assess whether a product is suitable without doing extra testing or research. A valid report can speed up approval of the installation and keep the schedule moving.
- Your liability goes down. Using fall protection devices without third-party validation raises the legal liability for contractors, facility owners and employers. If a device fails and has no recognized code report, the legal and financial consequences can be severe. A CER shows due diligence in product selection and safety compliance.
- The safety claims are independently verified. Fall protection devices have to meet strict standards, such as OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and 1926 and the ANSI Z359 series. A CER shows the product was evaluated against those benchmarks by someone other than the manufacturer.
- The performance is proven. A fall protection failure can cause serious injury or death. A CER verifies the device performs as intended under stress and environmental exposure. That matters most for permanent installations like rooftop anchors, where improper function may not be obvious.
- Specifying gets easier. For procurement officers and safety managers, choosing products with a CER simplifies the decision and supports policies that put safety-certified equipment first.
What does a CER evaluate for a fall protection device?
It depends on the equipment. A CER for a fall protection device may evaluate:
- Load-bearing capacity
- Corrosion resistance
- Durability under environmental exposure, such as UV, moisture and temperature
- Installation integrity and hardware compatibility
- Conformance to ANSI, CSA or ISO standards
- System integration with other safety devices
What does ER-461 cover?
IAPMO UES ER-461 evaluates Hardy Tie Back Devices, Hardy Tie Back Saddles and Hardy Outrigger Systems for use as roof-level tie-back systems and scaffolding supports. It was originally issued in 2017. The current revision is dated 07/20/2026 and is valid through 07/31/2027.
The codes and regulations it covers:
| Code or regulation | Editions in ER-461 |
|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2024, 2021, 2018, 2015, 2012 |
| OSHA, 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I | April 3, 2026 |
| California Building Code (CBC) | 2025, 2022 (California Supplement) |
| Cal/OSHA, California Code of Regulations Title 8 | November 26, 2024 (California Supplement) |
| City of Los Angeles Building Code (LABC) | 2026, 2023 (Los Angeles Supplement) |
The numbers that matter for a roof tie-back:
- 5,000 lb peak load without permanent deformation, in the vertical and horizontal directions, for the Hardy Tie Back Devices and Saddles.
- 3,100 lb maximum ASD level strength in the horizontal and vertical directions.
- Hot-dip galvanized in batches per ASTM A123.
- California Supplement: the loadings comply with Cal/OSHA Title 8 §3291(f)(2)(C), the rule that requires 5,000 lb in any direction without permanent deformation. Periodic testing and inspection follow Title 8 §3296(b).
The report also lists exact fastening schedules by model, including SDS screw size, screw count, minimum wood member size and minimum specific gravity. You’ll find the saddle numbers in roof tie-back anchors for wood framing.
What conditions come with an evaluation report?
A report approves a product under conditions. Read them before you specify. ER-461’s limitations include:
- Install per the manufacturer’s published instructions and the report. Keep a copy of the instructions on the job site the whole time you’re installing. If they conflict, the more restrictive one wins.
- Submit calculations showing compliance to the building official, prepared by a registered design professional where the jurisdiction requires it.
- A registered design professional designs the installation for the specific roof framing, and the building official approves it.
- Each tie-back device and saddle supports one worker only.
- Don’t use the devices for two different setups at the same time.
- Installation is done only by qualified installers approved by Hardy.
In Los Angeles, the supplement adds that computations and drawings go to the Department of Building and Safety, prepared, stamped and signed by a California registered design professional.
What keeps the report valid after it’s issued?
IAPMO keeps checking the factory after the report is issued. Hardy products listed in ER-461 are manufactured under a quality control program with periodic inspections under IAPMO UES surveillance. Hardy’s brochure lists the steps in IAPMO’s continuous compliance inspection program:
- An initial manufacturing audit
- Manufacturing inspection audits twice a year
- Inspections performed by RADCO Testing
ER-461 also lists its substantiating data, including load test reports per Code of Federal Regulations Title 29 from laboratories in compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, plus engineering calculations and quality documentation.
How do you check a code evaluation report before you specify?
- Confirm the issuer and number, for example IAPMO UES ER-461.
- Check the valid-through date on page one. If the date has passed, ask the manufacturer for the current revision.
- Match the code editions in the report to the editions your project is built under.
- Confirm there’s a supplement for your state or city if you need one, such as California or Los Angeles.
- Find the exact model you’re specifying in the report, by part number.
- Match the fastening schedule on your drawings to the report’s tables.
- Read every limitation and carry the ones that apply onto your plans.
- Check the label in the field. ER-461 devices are color-coded by height and carry a serialized label with the ER-461 number.
How Hardy helps
Hardy’s brochure calls the Hardy tie-back the only roof tie-back anchor with a Uniform Evaluation Report that meets all of Title 8 §3291. The Hardy Saddle Tie Back Anchor is covered by ER-461, is galvanized, and supports 5,000 pounds on a single beam, double truss or joist system.
Download the current ER-461 report and the detail sheets from resources, see how the report maps to Cal/OSHA on Understanding the Code, and check your building against the Cal/OSHA roof tie-back requirements. Browse the full product line, or contact Hardy for submittal documents on your project.